Chapter 26 Red Lipstick and Audacity
For a long moment, Elena just stood there, frozen in place.
The woman was dressed sexily today in a velvet purple dress and the neckline was very deep, leaving a lot on display.
The gentleman rose from his seat just as Elena stepped on.
“Mrs. Thorne, my name is Johnson,” he said warmly, extending his hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”
Elena placed her hand in his and he lifted it, pressing a polite kiss to the back of her knuckles.
“You never told me your wife was this beautiful.”
Julian chuckled and his hand settled lightly at Elena’s back. “You flatter me. Thank you, Johnson. Elena is a remarkable woman. I’m lucky to have married her.”
Elena almost scoffed out loud.
But instead, she ignored the men and turned to the woman that was now gazing at her with some sort of barely concealed amusement.
“This is Cassandra Monroe, my long-time…acquaintance,” Julian introduced.
Elena didn't miss the slight pause in Julian's introduction. Almost like he was trying to find the right words to call her.
Cassandra Monroe looked at Elena's face and then her eyes drifted to her ankle wrapped in bandage.
“Is your wife all right?” Cassandra asked Julian lightly.
Elena didn’t miss the way Cassandra’s gaze slid back to Julian, lingering far too long on his face.
Before Julian could respond, Elena snapped, “I'm fine, funny you should ask. It was just some minor accident earlier today.”
Cassandra addressed Elena directly. “Okay, that's fine, dear. But you still look very dull. You should experiment more with your hair.”
The word stung and Elena knew she couldn't take the insults.
“And you should learn not to show up in people’s homes without permission.”
Cassandra’s brows lifted in surprise. “Your husband invited me.”
“An invitation from a husband doesn’t replace courtesy to the woman of the house. You should ask to speak with me next time before accepting such invitations. After all, we're new couples and this should be our honeymoon.”
Julian stepped in quickly, pulling out
Elena’s chair. “I'm sure the women are done saying hello," he teased and then his voice dropped into that calm, commanding tone. “Enough with the drama, sit down and eat, darling.”
Darling? The way he said it made her jaw clench.
Elena sat stiffly, hands folded in her lap, forcing herself to be calm.
Soon, the maids came in and dinner was served.
For a few minutes, the trio discussed work.
But Elena felt oddly out of place in their world. Whatever tech thingy they were discussing just sounded like gibberish to her.
Cassandra moaned delightedly. “I must say that you have a good chef.”
"Hmmm,” Julian hummed and smiled.
But Cassandra turned to Elena. "Have you tried cooking for your husband before?”
Elena almost choked on her drink, blinking at such an audacious question. “Do I have to?’
“You're his wife. I'm sure you know you have certain roles and duties," she replied unashamedly even though she could clearly see the frown on Elena's face.
“I perform all my duties just fine. Why would you care?"
Cassandra chuckled. "Oh, I'm just looking out for a friend. Julian and I go way back,” then she turned to him, “don't we?"
Julian nodded. “Yes. We’ve known each other for a long time.”
“But enough about me and Julian. How about you, dear?” Cassandra asked Elena. “How’s your family business doing? I heard the Vance family ran into financial trouble.”
Elena’s fork froze midair.
She turned slowly to Julian quizzically.
Cassandra noticed immediately and waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, relax. It’s not a secret. It’s been floating around the news for a long time,” she smiled slyly, “Although your husband has been quite diligent about keeping such things quiet.”
Julian cut in smoothly. “The Vance Group had a setback but they’re recovering just fine.”
Cassandra hummed. “I wonder if that has anything to do with why you married her.”
Julian’s face was cold. “That had nothing to do with our marriage.”
Elena surprised herself by speaking. “And what if it did?”
Everyone looked at her.
Cassandra chuckled. “Oh, please. I’m not judging. We all marry for different reasons.”
She reached for Johnson’s hand. “Johnson and I may have our own wedding soon and frankly, business is right at the center of it. So trust me, I understand marriages of convenience.”
Elena looked at Johnson thoughtfully. “You’re very lucky to have her as your wife.”
Johnson smiled. “I am.”
Elena tilted her head. “At first, I thought she was your aunt.”
Johnson choked on his wine. He coughed violently, setting the glass down. “I—excuse me.”
Cassandra’s face flushed red.
Julian’s hand tightened on Elena’s thigh under the table in a warning grip.
But Elena wasn’t finished.
“Oh, don’t be embarrassed,” she continued calmly. “I hear some men have tastes for older women. Much older.”
She glanced pointedly at Julian, eyeing him. But Julian didn’t react, he just kept eating.
Elena turned back to Cassandra. “What do you think of infidelity?”
Cassandra looked flushed now but she pretended to still be calm and she shrugged. “If my husband proposed an open marriage, I wouldn’t say no. As long as it stays discreet. I despise scandals.”
Johnson frowned. “I don’t agree with that.”
Cassandra looked at him, surprised. “It was just a question, dear."
“I intend to be faithful,” Johnson continued firmly. “There’s no need to bring someone else into our marriage.”
He lifted Cassandra’s hand and kissed her knuckles. She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Elena leaned forward. “What if you found out your wife was cheating with someone close to you?”
Johnson stiffened. “That would be disgraceful and shameful to my family. I couldn’t tolerate it.”
“Would you call off the wedding?”
“Of course.”
Cassandra shifted uncomfortably on her seat.
Elena smiled. “Interesting."
“What are you implying?” Johnson asked softly.
But before Elena could answer, Julian stood abruptly.
The movement knocked his glass over and red wine spilled straight onto Elena’s pink dress.
She gasped, jumping to her feet.
“Oh, damn it,” Julian said quickly. “Let me help.”
But the paper towels only made the stain worse.
He took her arm. “You need to change.”
Without waiting for permission, he turned to the table. “We’ll finish dinner without my wife. She needs rest.”
He didn’t give anyone time to object as he led her upstairs swiftly.
“Let go!" Elena hissed slowly as they marched up the stairs and into the hallway.
Once inside her room, the door shut behind them.
Julian turned, jaw tight. “You were about to cause a serious incident, Elena.”
She laughed bitterly. “Why? Afraid Johnson would find out you’ve been sleeping with his future wife?”
Julian’s eyes darkened. “You have no idea what you’re saying.”
“Oh, please. I saw you both the other night, do you think I'm blind?”
“This is complicated,” he said sharply. “Do not involve yourself.”
“So you won't even deny it?"
“Stay out of what you don't know, Elena.”
Before she could respond, he stepped out and shut the door with a loud click.
Elena grabbed the knob but it didn't budge. “Julian! How dare you lock me in?!”